Yah, the cost of pellet grills is insane. I do not see why there are not cheaper models out there. The Brinkmann is about as cheap as you can get for reasonable quality at $500. From thre it goes up, up and more up in price. The same size Brinkmann with a wood smoker pot instead of a pellet feeder is only $150. The small Jr. Traegers are $400 but the newer ones are Chicom crap. Fast Eddy grills start at $2,500 and go up from there. I want the Fast Eddy cook shack smoker, but that is $4,000. So that is not gonna happen...
The pellet grill I am considering now is the Louisianna Grill CS-450, but that is a $grand$. So that will likely not happen either. On CL here people want near new prices for their pellet BBQ grills, so no point in that. My new 30-NC wood stove earlier in the year was $650, a needed appliance, heats the house and will pay for itself. A smoker grill? I love BBQ, but... cough... I may just get a Brinkmann like my brother did.
www.amazingribs.com has a good review on ppq pellet grills and pricing...